Jimmy Graham already up to speed for Saints

Jul. 25, 2014
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New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) reacts after a first down catch during the first half of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. / Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sport

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

So much for anyone still wondering how the newly minted, $40-million tight end spent his offseason during a contract dispute and two-day arbitration hearing over whether he deserved to be paid as a wide receiver or a tight end.

Given the shape the 6-7 tight end flashed Thursday, coach Sean Payton and the Saints can't wait to get Graham back on the field when they open training camp Friday morning.

"I told him to stay in Miami every offseason,'' Payton cracked. "I mean it was outstanding.''

Graham who is entering his fifth season after leading the Saints last season with 86 catches, including 16 touchdowns will practice for the first time with his teammates since disputing the $7.05 tight end franchise tag the Saints placed on him.

Payton as well as general manager Mickey Loomis expressed relief during their Thursday media availability that the sides just beat the July 15 deadline for signing long-term deals with franchised players when the four-year, $40-million deal that made Graham the league's highest-paid tight end was struck that morning.

"One of the best phone calls of the summer was he and I having a chance to visit and touch base and kind of get moving toward this training camp,'' Payton said. "Because we've seen the guy come in here young and all of a sudden in a short period of time, accomplish a lot of great things. And he still has a lot of things, I'm sure he's going to be able to accomplish moving forward.''

Payton noted that despite testifying during the two days of arbitration hearings from both sides, it was strictly business.

And there was never any feeling of awkwardness.

"It wasn't like that,'' Payton said. "I'm glad it's behind us. It was great to get that resolved. I think it would be much more challenging if we were sitting here today and a situation like that wasn't resolved."

Payton called the arbitration process "a long two days.'' But he indicated that the ice was broken during bathroom breaks.

"I know this, it would have been a lot harder sitting in that room saying (Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell) 'Suggs was a linebacker' when everyone knows he's a pass rusher,'' Payton said, referencing the Ravens-Suggs debate about whether the defender should be paid commensurate as a linebacker or a defensive end.

"I'm fired up for Jimmy because he's earned this opportunity now. There's a weight on your shoulders when you're at a crossroads with a contract. So when it's resolved, there's a lot of relief.''

Graham showed as much with his impressive Thursday conditioning showing.

For a guy who always plays with a chip on his shoulder, it's likely a good sign for the Saints and their fans for even better things to come from a rising playmaker who wants to prove he's worth his mega deal.